Just for Tonight

39.

The tour was going much better. Ville had apologized to everyone. Chloe had assured him she forgave him, and he was glued to her to reassure her of his true feelings.

Every night, the audience sang, danced and cried at the same time. The band received messages, thrown on stage, asking them not to stop. It was touching, and Chloe understood more and more how Ville's decision was certainly one of the hardest to make.

She could see the impact HIM had had on the lives of all these people, and she wasn't the only one.

Migé couldn't believe it. "Would you have ever thought about it, you, that when we were fifteen, and playing our instruments rather clumsily, dreaming of becoming famous... how much, a few years later, would we have touched all these people so deeply?"

Ville smiled. "I may have dreamed of it, but I didn't think we'd get there."

Chloe remained silent, but she listened attentively. In any case, she was at a loss for words and preferred to remain calm and silent, which was new. Caught up in touring and obligations, no one had really noticed. But inside, the storm was raging and her heart was covered with deep scars.

She forced herself to smile and answer calmly when asked a direct question. She had only one goal in mind: that the tour went well. The last dance was more important than her own feelings.

Every time Ville took her in his arms, every time he told her he loved her, she saw his closed, loveless face asking her to leave. Telling her it was all over. That there was nothing left.

Every time, she closed her eyes briefly, exorting herself to forget. To forget what had happened, to put a lid on her emotions, for the sake of the tour and those she loved.

Only then was she able to give in to his embrace, and assure him that she loved him in return. His smile which she loved, at such moments, was her reward.

And, as she began to relive the gas pump scene in her dreams, she began to avoid him. The story looped in her head, the harsh, hurtful words still ringing in her ears.

If Ville didn't realize it, Migé became aware that she hardly spoke anymore and avoided moments with them.

"How are you, darling?" he asked her that evening, after the show. He had clearly perceived that, during the duet, she had let go of Ville's hand halfway through the song.

"I'm fine, Migé". She smiled bravely. But faced with her friend's deep gaze, her smile fell.

"I'm fine," she repeated without conviction.

"Chlo..."

"Don't try to understand, bro. I don't even understand what's happening to me". She bit her lips.

"You two seem to be doing better," Migé tried again.

"We do ...". She hesitated.

"Talk to me. We haven't been hearing the sound of your voice much lately."

"He said ... what he said, and at that moment, he meant it." She bit her lips harder. "And his words won't leave my head, Migé."

"Oh Chlo ...". Migé looked at her with concern.

"When he tells me now that he loves me, it's stronger than me, I hear that it's over, that he's tired of me, that I have to go away". Tears rolled down her cheeks. "And even though I understand... he was hurting, the beginning of the tour was heartbreaking for him... he went straight into my greatest fears," she added.

She wiped her tears and sadly laughed. "I would have shed tears for him," she said, giving Migé an apologetic smile.

"You've got to talk to him, darling. You can't stay like this...".

"I know you're right. But I don't know how to explain it to him... words, misused, hurt so much... and I'm afraid of his reaction, Migé. Now I'm afraid of it."

"Remember. He likes your directness and the way you say things. He admires that about you. But talk to him". He kissed her on her cheeks to give her courage.

A few days later, the opportunity to speak to Ville arose. They found themselves alone on the bus, and she suspected Migé had organized a night out at a bar with the others, to give them room.

"Finally alone, honey," he smiled. He tried to take her in his arms, but she gently pushed him away.

"Ville, I'd like to take this opportunity to talk with you," she replied.

He sat down. "And what do you want to talk about, Chlo?". She heard the anxiety in his voice.

"About... what happened", she whispered.

He frowned.

"I thought we'd explained..." he began, defensively.

"First of all, I'd like you to promise to listen to me without yelling at me. Without telling me things... categorically. I'm only asking you to listen to me, and then we'll discuss it."

"But ... Okay, honey, I promise. I'm listening". He tried to reassure her with a smile.

She took a deep breathe and began.

"That day, without meaning to, you aimed your words at my greatest fears. That you'd leave me for good, that you'd be fed up with me and our relationship. That I'd become a burden in your life, call it whatever you like. Since then, I've seen and I know that you're constantly trying to reassure me about your feelings. But... I'm afraid it won't last. That our story won't last. And I can't go on like that, Ville".

She stopped her explanation.

"Do you still love me, Chloe?", he weakly asked.

"Yes I do. I just need time to heal. And to regain the trust I had in you".

Ville remained silent for a moment. She'd never really trusted them, because she'd often underestimated how important she was in his life. But now, the situation seemed worse. And he was responsible.

"What can I do to help you, honey?", he asked.

"Just ... don't overplay your feelings for me, in an effort to reassure me. And give me some time ... to forget those words...", she begged him.

"Do you mean ... a break ?". Ville was desperate.

"I think it's the right thing to do, Beautiful. At this moment."

He took her in his arms, one last time.

"Ville, this is not the end. It's a break," she told him again.

"I love you, Chlo. And I don't overplay it when I tell you."

He was overwhelmed with emotions.

"I love you too, Beautiful. All I want is for us to focus on the tour. That's the main thing and maybe then we'll get back together like before. Remember, Ville, we fell in love working together."

They sadly smiled. Those last words reassured him a little.

"Hi Chloe, I'm Ville," he said, holding out his hand.

"Hello, Ville. Let's take it slow, shall we?"